Steering assembly for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A vehicle includes a chassis and a front axle assembly. The chassis includes a first frame rail defining a first vertical plane and a second frame rail defining a second vertical plane. The front axle assembly includes an axle and a steering assembly. The axle is coupled to a front end of the first frame rail and the second frame rail. The steering assembly includes a pair of wheel hubs coupled to opposing ends of the axle, a steering gear mechanism including a first gear box and a second gear box, and a linkage assembly coupling the steering gear mechanism to the pair of wheel hubs to facilitate steering the pair of wheel hubs through actuation of the steering gear mechanism. The first gear box and the second gear box are positioned between the first vertical plane and the second vertical plane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/689,336, filed Mar. 8, 2022, which claims the benefit of and priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/161,236, filed Mar. 15,2021, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND

Refuse vehicles collect a wide variety of waste, trash, and othermaterial from residences and businesses. Operators of the refusevehicles transport the material from various waste receptacles within amunicipality to a storage or processing facility (e.g., a landfill, anincineration facility, a recycling facility, etc.).

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a front axle assembly for a vehicle. The frontaxle assembly includes an axle and a steering assembly. The steeringassembly includes a pair of wheel hubs coupled to opposing ends of theaxle, a steering gear mechanism, and a linkage assembly coupling thesteering gear mechanism to the pair of wheel hubs to facilitate steeringthe pair of wheel hubs through actuation of the steering gear mechanism.The steering gear mechanism is configured to be positioned between (i) afirst vertical plane defined by a first frame rail of the vehicle and(ii) a second vertical plane defined by a second frame rail of thevehicle. The steering gear mechanism includes a first gear box and asecond gear box. The first gear box is configured to be positionedbetween the first vertical plane and a central vertical plane centrallypositioned between the first vertical plane and the second verticalplane. The second gear box is configured to be positioned between thesecond vertical plane and the central vertical plane. The linkageassembly includes (i) a pair of pitman arms coupled to the steering gearmechanism, (ii) a pair of steering links coupled to the pair of pitmanarms such that the pair of pitman arms couple the first gear box and thesecond gear box to the pair of steering links, and (iii) a pair of tierod arms coupling the pair of steering links to the pair of wheel hubs.

Another embodiment relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a chassisand a front axle assembly. The chassis includes a single left frame raildefining a first vertical plane and a single right frame rail spacedfrom the single left frame rail. The single right frame rail defines asecond vertical plane. The front axle assembly is coupled to a front endof the single right frame rail and the single left frame rail. The frontaxle assembly includes an axle and a steering assembly. The steeringassembly includes a pair of wheel hubs coupled to opposing ends of theaxle, a steering gear mechanism positioned between the first verticalplane and the second vertical plane, and a linkage assembly coupling thesteering gear mechanism to the pair of wheel hubs to facilitate steeringthe pair of wheel hubs through actuation of the steering gear mechanism.

Still another embodiment relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes achassis and a front axle assembly. The chassis includes a first framerail defining a first vertical plane and a second frame rail defining asecond vertical plane. The front axle assembly includes an axle and asteering assembly. The axle is coupled to a front end of the first framerail and the second frame rail. The steering assembly includes a pair ofwheel hubs coupled to opposing ends of the axle, a steering gearmechanism including a first gear box and a second gear box, and alinkage assembly coupling the steering gear mechanism to the pair ofwheel hubs to facilitate steering the pair of wheel hubs throughactuation of the steering gear mechanism. The first gear box and thesecond gear box are positioned between the first vertical plane and thesecond vertical plane.

This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any waylimiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of thedevices or processes described herein will become apparent in thedetailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refuse vehicle including an axleassembly, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top schematic diagram of the axle assembly of the refusevehicle of FIG. 1 including an axle and a steering assembly, accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 3-5 are various views of the axle assembly of FIG. 2 with thesteering assembly in a plurality of orientations, according to variousexemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6D are various cross-sectional schematic diagrams of a portionof the axle assembly of FIG. 2 , according to various exemplaryembodiments.

FIG. 7 is a top schematic diagram of the axle assembly of the refusevehicle of FIG. 1 , according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a portion of the axleassembly of FIG. 7 , according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentdisclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in thedescription or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understoodthat the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle (e.g., a refuse vehicle,etc.) of the present disclosure includes an axle assembly having an axle(e.g., a front axle, a solid axle, etc.), wheels coupled to opposingends of the axle, and a steering assembly coupled to the axle that isconfigured to facilitate steering the wheels. Traditionally, vehicleshave included an internal combustion engine that has an oil panpositioned along the bottom of the engine. When the engine is coupled tothe frame, the oil pan extends down through the frame rails and occupiesthe space between and beneath the frame rails. This requires thatvarious steering components be positioned outside of the frame rails.The vehicle of the present disclosure advantageously has the engine in adifferent position or the engine is replaced with an electric motor,which frees up the space between the frame rails that was previouslyoccupied by the engine and engine oil pan. According to an exemplaryembodiment, various steering components of the vehicle including thesteering gear box can, therefore, be positioned between/beneath theframe rails, as well as facilitate removing/eliminating various steeringcomponents used in traditional steering systems (e.g., a traditionalsteer arm, a cross link on the axle, etc.). In addition, suchpositioning further frees up space outside the frame rails, which can beleveraged for the packaging of other components. In some instances, thepositioning of the various steering components between the frame railsfacilitates narrowing the cab of the vehicle and/or enlarging the stepwell used for assistance when entering the cab.

Overall Vehicle

As shown in FIG. 1 , a machine, shown as vehicle 10, is configured as afront-loading refuse truck (e.g., a garbage truck, a waste collectiontruck, a sanitation truck, a recycling truck, etc.). In otherembodiments, the vehicle 10 is configured as a side-loading refuse truckor a rear-loading refuse truck. In still other embodiments, the vehicle10 is configured as another type of vehicle (e.g., a commercial truck, acement mixer truck, a plow truck, a military vehicle, constructionmachinery, agriculture machinery, etc.). As shown in FIG. 1 , thevehicle 10 includes a chassis, shown as frame 12; a body assembly, shownas body 14, coupled to the frame 12 (e.g., at a rear end thereof, etc.);and a cab, shown as cab 16, coupled to the frame 12 (e.g., at a frontend thereof, etc.). The cab 16 may include various components tofacilitate operation of the vehicle 10 by an operator (e.g., a seat, asteering wheel, actuator controls, a user interface, switches, buttons,dials, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle 10 includes a prime mover, shown aselectric motor 18, and an energy system, shown as energy storage and/orgeneration system 20. In other embodiments, the prime mover is orincludes an internal combustion engine. According to the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the electric motor 18 is coupled to theframe 12 at a position beneath the cab 16. The electric motor 18 isconfigured to provide power to a plurality of tractive elements (e.g.,via a drive shaft, etc.), shown as wheels 22, supported by axleassemblies, shown as axle assemblies 100, coupled to the frame 12 (e.g.,a front end thereof, a rear end thereof, etc.). In other embodiments,the electric motor 18 is otherwise positioned and/or the vehicle 10includes a plurality of electric motors to facilitate independentlydriving one or more of the wheels 22. In still other embodiments, theelectric motor 18 or a secondary electric motor is coupled to andconfigured to drive a hydraulic system that powers hydraulic actuators.According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the energystorage and/or generation system 20 is coupled to the frame 12 beneaththe body 14. In other embodiments, the energy storage and/or generationsystem 20 is otherwise positioned (e.g., within a tailgate of thevehicle 10, beneath the cab 16, along the top of the body 14, within thebody 14, etc.).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the energy storage and/orgeneration system 20 is configured to (a) receive, generate, and/orstore power and (b) provide electric power to (i) the electric motor 18to drive the wheels 22 (e.g., the front wheels only, the rear wheelsonly, both the front wheels and the rear wheels, etc.), (ii) electricactuators of the vehicle 10 to facilitate operation thereof (e.g., liftactuators, tailgate actuators, packer actuators, grabber actuators,etc.), and/or (iii) other electrically operated accessories of thevehicle 10 (e.g., displays, lights, etc.). The energy storage and/orgeneration system 20 may include one or more rechargeable batteries(e.g., lithium-ion batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries,lithium-ion polymer batteries, lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmiumbatteries, etc.), capacitors, solar cells, generators, power buses, etc.In one embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a completely electric vehicle. Inother embodiments, the vehicle 10 includes an internal combustiongenerator that utilizes one or more fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel,propane, natural gas, hydrogen, etc.) to generate electricity to chargethe energy storage and/or generation system 20, power the electric motor18, power the electric actuators, and/or power the other electricallyoperated accessories (e.g., a hybrid vehicle, etc.). For example, thevehicle 10 may have an internal combustion engine augmented by theelectric motor 18 to cooperatively provide power to the wheels 22. Theenergy storage and/or generation system 20 may thereby be charged via anon-board generator (e.g., an internal combustion generator, a solarpanel system, etc.), from an external power source (e.g., overhead powerlines, mains power source through a charging input, etc.), and/or via apower regenerative braking system, and provide power to the electricallyoperated systems of the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the energystorage and/or generation system 20 includes a heat management system(e.g., liquid cooling, heat exchanger, air cooling, etc.).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 10 is configured totransport refuse from various waste receptacles within a municipality toa storage and/or processing facility (e.g., a landfill, an incinerationfacility, a recycling facility, etc.). As shown in FIG. 1 , the body 14includes a plurality of panels, shown as panels 32, a tailgate 34, and acover 36. The panels 32, the tailgate 34, and the cover 36 define acollection chamber (e.g., hopper, etc.), shown as refuse compartment 30.Loose refuse may be placed into the refuse compartment 30 where it maythereafter be compacted (e.g., by a packer system, etc.). The refusecompartment 30 may provide temporary storage for refuse during transportto a waste disposal site and/or a recycling facility. In someembodiments, at least a portion of the body 14 and the refusecompartment 30 extend above or in front of the cab 16. According to theembodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the body 14 and the refuse compartment 30are positioned behind the cab 16. In some embodiments, the refusecompartment 30 includes a hopper volume and a storage volume. Refuse maybe initially loaded into the hopper volume and thereafter compacted intothe storage volume. According to an exemplary embodiment, the hoppervolume is positioned between the storage volume and the cab 16 (e.g.,refuse is loaded into a position of the refuse compartment 30 behind thecab 16 and stored in a position further toward the rear of the refusecompartment 30, a front-loading refuse vehicle, a side-loading refusevehicle, etc.). In other embodiments, the storage volume is positionedbetween the hopper volume and the cab 16 (e.g., a rear-loading refusevehicle, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle 10 includes a lift mechanism/system(e.g., a front-loading lift assembly, etc.), shown as lift assembly 40,coupled to the front end of the body 14. In other embodiments, the liftassembly 40 extends rearward of the body 14 (e.g., a rear-loading refusevehicle, etc.). In still other embodiments, the lift assembly 40 extendsfrom a side of the body 14 (e.g., a side-loading refuse vehicle, etc.).As shown in FIG. 1 , the lift assembly 40 is configured to engage acontainer (e.g., a residential trash receptacle, a commercial trashreceptacle, a container having a robotic grabber arm, etc.), shown asrefuse container 60. The lift assembly 40 may include various actuators(e.g., electric actuators, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators,etc.) to facilitate engaging the refuse container 60, lifting the refusecontainer 60, and tipping refuse out of the refuse container 60 into thehopper volume of the refuse compartment 30 through an opening in thecover 36 or through the tailgate 34. The lift assembly 40 may thereafterreturn the empty refuse container 60 to the ground. According to anexemplary embodiment, a door, shown as top door 38, is movably coupledalong the cover 36 to seal the opening, thereby preventing refuse fromescaping the refuse compartment 30 (e.g., due to wind, bumps in theroad, etc.).

Axle Assembly

According to an exemplary embodiment, the axle assemblies 100 include atleast one steerable axle assembly (e.g., a front steerable axleassembly, front and rear steerable axle assemblies, etc.). According tothe exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-8 , the axle assembly 100 is afront steerable axle assembly that includes (i) an axle, shown as frontaxle 110, that is coupled to the frame 12 and supports a pair of thewheels 22 (i.e., front wheels) and (ii) a steering assembly, shown assteering system 200. According to an exemplary embodiment, the frontaxle 110 has a solid axle structure (as opposed to an independentsuspension axle design). As shown in FIGS. 2-8 , the steering system 200includes one or more steering gear mechanisms, shown as steering gearboxes 210; a pair of wheel hubs, shown as wheel hubs 212, coupled toopposing ends of the front axle 110, that facilitate coupling the wheels22 to the axle assembly 100; and a linkage assembly, shown as steeringlinkage assembly 214, coupling the steering gear box or boxes 210 to thewheel hubs 212. As shown in FIGS. 2-6 , the steering system 200 includesa pair of steering gear boxes 210. A shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , thesteering system 200 includes a single steering gear box 210. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, the steering gear box or boxes 210 is/areconfigured to couple to a steering wheel, a steering column, etc. of thevehicle 10 to facilitate steering the wheels 22 through actuation of thesteering gear box or boxes 210 and, thereby, the steering linkageassembly 214 and the wheel hubs 212 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3-5 ).

As shown in FIGS. 2-5 , the steering linkage assembly 214 includes apair of connectors or connector arms, shown as pitman arms 220, a firstlinkage, shown as tie link 230, a pair of second linkages, shown assteering links 240, and a pair of third linkages, shown as tie rod arms250. Each of the pitman arms 220 extends between and couples arespective one of the steering gear boxes 210 to a respective one of thesteering links 240 (i.e., a left pitman arm 220 couples a left steeringgear box 210 to a left steering link 240, and a right pitman arm 220couples a right steering gear box 210 to a right steering link 240). Thetie link 230 extends between and couples the pitman arms 220 to oneanother (e.g., at a position along the pitman arms 220 between thesteering gear boxes 210 and a connection point to the steering links240, etc.). Each of the tie rod arms 250 extends between and couples arespective one of the steering links 240 to a steering arm/knuckle of arespective one of the wheel hubs 212 (i.e., a left tie rod arm 250couples a left steering link 240 to a left steering arm/knuckle of aleft wheel hub 212, and a right tie rod arm 250 couples a right steeringlink 240 to a right steering arm/knuckle of a right wheel hub 212). Asshown in FIG. 7 , the steering linkage assembly 214 includes a singlepitman arm 220 coupled to both of the steering links 240 and does notinclude the tie link 230.

As shown in FIGS. 3-6 and 8 , the frame 12 includes a first frame rail,shown as left frame rail 12 a, and a second frame rail, shown as rightframe rail 12 b, spaced from the left frame rail 12 a (e.g., such that aspace or gap is formed therebetween). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 , theleft frame rail 12 a defines a first vertical plane, shown as left plane300, and the right frame rail 12 b defines a second vertical plane,shown as right plane 302. A central, longitudinal plane, shown ascentral plane 304, extends between the left frame rail 12 a and theright frame rail 12 b at a center point therebetween. The bottomsurfaces of the left frame rail 12 a and the right frame rail 12 bextend along a bottom plane, shown as bottom plane 306.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the steering gear boxes 210 are positioned betweenthe left plane 300 defined by the left frame rail 12 a and the rightplane 302 defined by the right frame rail 12 b. More specifically, (i) aleft steering gear box 210 is positioned between the left plane 300defined by the left frame rail 12 a and the central plane 304 and (ii) aright steering gear box 210 is positioned between the right plane 302defined by the right frame rail 12 b and the central plane 304.According to an exemplary embodiment, the steering system 200 iscentered along and symmetric about the central plane 304.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the steering gear box 210 is (i) positioned betweenthe left plane 300 defined by the left frame rail 12 a and the rightplane 302 defined by the right frame rail 12 b, and (ii) positionedalong the central plane 304 such that the steering system 200 iscentered along and symmetric about the central plane 304. In anotherembodiment, the steering gear box 210 is (i) positioned between the leftplane 300 defined by the left frame rail 12 a and the right plane 302defined by the right frame rail 12 b, but (ii) positioned offset fromthe central plane 304.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 8 , the steering gear box or boxes 210 is/arepositioned entirely beneath the bottom plane 306. In another embodiment,as shown in FIG. 6B, at least a portion of the steering box or boxes 210is/are positioned along the bottom plane 306. In still anotherembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the steering gear box or boxes210 is/are positioned entirely above the bottom plane 306. In such anembodiment, (i) as shown in FIG. 6C, the steering links 240 may extendthrough apertures or slots 310 defined in the left frame rail 12 a andthe right frame rail 12 b to connect to the tie rod arms 250, (ii) asshown in FIG. 6D, the steering links 240 may be shaped to curvearound/beneath the left frame rail 12 a and the right frame rail 12 b toconnect to the tie rod arms 250, and/or (iii) the pitman arm(s) 220 maydrop down from the steering gear box(es) 210 such that the steeringlinks 240 clear underneath the left frame rail 12 a and the right framerail 12 b to connect to the tie rod arms 250.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited inthe appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, asused herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicatethat such embodiments are possible examples, representations, orillustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intendedto connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary orsuperlative examples).

The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g.,removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the twomembers coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled toeach other using a separate intervening member and any additionalintermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two memberscoupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If“coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term(e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” providedabove is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term(e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without anyseparate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition thanthe generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may bemechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of variouselements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation ofvarious elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of thevehicle 10, the axle assembly 100, and the steering system 200 thereofas shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only.Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may beincorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein.

1. A front axle assembly for a vehicle, the front axle assemblycomprising: an axle; and a steering assembly including: a pair of wheelhubs coupled to opposing ends of the axle; a steering gear mechanismconfigured to be positioned between (i) a first vertical plane definedby a first frame rail of the vehicle and (ii) a second vertical planedefined by a second frame rail of the vehicle, the steering gearmechanism including a first gear box and a second gear box, wherein thefirst gear box is configured to be positioned between the first verticalplane and a central vertical plane centrally positioned between thefirst vertical plane and the second vertical plane, and wherein thesecond gear box is configured to be positioned between the secondvertical plane and the central vertical plane; and a linkage assemblycoupling the steering gear mechanism to the pair of wheel hubs tofacilitate steering the pair of wheel hubs through actuation of thesteering gear mechanism, the linkage assembly including (i) a pair ofpitman arms coupled to the steering gear mechanism, (ii) a pair ofsteering links coupled to the pair of pitman arms such that the pair ofpitman arms couple the first gear box and the second gear box to thepair of steering links, and (iii) a pair of tie rod arms coupling thepair of steering links to the pair of wheel hubs.
 2. The front axleassembly of claim 1, wherein bottom surfaces of the first frame rail andthe second frame rail define a bottom plane, and wherein at least aportion of the steering gear mechanism is configured to be positioned atleast one of beneath the bottom plane or above the bottom plane.
 3. Thefront axle assembly of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of thesteering gear mechanism is configured to be positioned along the bottomplane.
 4. The front axle assembly of claim 2, wherein the steering gearmechanism is configured to be positioned entirely below the bottomplane.
 5. The front axle assembly of claim 2, wherein the steering gearmechanism is configured to be positioned entirely above the bottomplane.
 6. The front axle assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of(i) the pair of steering links are configured to extend through a pairof apertures or slots defined by the first frame rail and the secondframe rail, (ii) the pair of steering links are shaped such that thepair of steering links are configured to curve around the first framerail and the second frame rail, or (iii) the pair of pitman arms dropdown from the steering gear mechanism such that the pair of steeringlinks coupled thereto are configured to clear underneath the first framerail and the second frame rail.
 7. The front axle assembly of claim 6,wherein the pair of steering links are configured to extend through thepair of apertures or slots defined by the first frame rail and thesecond frame rail.
 8. The front axle assembly of claim 6, wherein thepair of steering links are shaped such that the pair of steering linksare configured to curve around the first frame rail and the second framerail.
 9. The front axle assembly of claim 6, wherein the pair of pitmanarms drop down from the steering gear mechanism such that the pair ofsteering links coupled thereto are configured to clear underneath thefirst frame rail and the second frame rail.
 10. A vehicle comprising: achassis including: a single left frame rail defining a first verticalplane; and a single right frame rail spaced from the single left framerail, the single right frame rail defining a second vertical plane; anda front axle assembly coupled to a front end of the single right framerail and the single left frame rail, the front axle assembly including:an axle; and a steering assembly including: a pair of wheel hubs coupledto opposing ends of the axle; a steering gear mechanism positionedbetween the first vertical plane and the second vertical plane; and alinkage assembly coupling the steering gear mechanism to the pair ofwheel hubs to facilitate steering the pair of wheel hubs throughactuation of the steering gear mechanism.
 11. The vehicle of claim 10,wherein bottom surfaces of the single left frame rail and the singleright frame rail extend along a bottom plane, and wherein at least aportion of the steering gear mechanism is positioned at least one ofbeneath the bottom plane or above the bottom plane.
 12. The vehicle ofclaim 11, wherein at least a portion of the steering gear mechanism ispositioned along the bottom plane.
 13. The vehicle of claim 11, whereinthe steering gear mechanism is positioned entirely below the bottomplane.
 14. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the steering gear mechanismis positioned entirely above the bottom plane.
 15. The vehicle of claim10, wherein the linkage assembly includes (i) one or more pitman armscoupled to the steering gear mechanism, (ii) a pair of steering linkscoupled to the one or more pitman arms, and (iii) a pair of tie rod armscoupling the pair of steering links to the pair of wheel hubs, andwherein at least one of (i) the single left frame rail and the singleright frame rail define a pair of apertures or slots through which thepair of steering links extend, (ii) the pair of steering links areshaped such that the pair of steering links curve around the single leftframe rail and the single right frame rail, or (iii) the one or morepitman arms drop down from the steering gear mechanism such that thepair of steering links coupled thereto clear underneath the single leftframe rail and the single right frame rail.
 16. The vehicle of claim 15,wherein the single left frame rail and the single right frame raildefine the pair of apertures or slots through which the pair of steeringlinks extend.
 17. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the pair of steeringlinks are shaped such that the pair of steering links curve around thesingle left frame rail and the single right frame rail.
 18. The vehicleof claim 15, wherein the one or more pitman arms drop down from thesteering gear mechanism such that the pair of steering links clearunderneath the single left frame rail and the single right frame rail.19. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the steering gear mechanismincludes a first gear box and a second gear box positioned between thefirst vertical plane the second vertical plane.
 20. A vehiclecomprising: a chassis including: a first frame rail defining a firstvertical plane; and a second frame rail defining a second verticalplane; and a front axle assembly including: an axle coupled to a frontend of the first frame rail and the second frame rail; and a steeringassembly including: a pair of wheel hubs coupled to opposing ends of theaxle; a steering gear mechanism including a first gear box and a secondgear box, the first gear box and the second gear box positioned betweenthe first vertical plane and the second vertical plane; and a linkageassembly coupling the steering gear mechanism to the pair of wheel hubsto facilitate steering the pair of wheel hubs through actuation of thesteering gear mechanism.